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Maghull Town Council’s controlling Labour Group saves annual fir

Maghull Town Council's Labour Group is making sure bonfire night goes with a bang.

The Labour administration on the town council was told just two weeks ago that Sefton Council was being forced to pull the plug on the event due to Tory-Lib Dem government cuts to the local authority's funding.

But instead of allowing the popular event to fizzle out, the Labour Group was determined to save the annual fireworks extravaganza.

After calling an emergency group meeting, Maghull Town Council leader Cllr Maurice Byrne said they had worked a plan to save the event.

Cllr Byrne said: "We have been given very little time to save the fireworks display after being told just two weeks ago that funding had been cut.

"Money is obviously very tight at the moment, so there was no way Maghull Town Council could save the display without alternative financial support.

"The event usually costs between £8,000-£10,000.

"But what we have decided is that the event will be staged and we are trying to source funding from local businesses as well as asking our neighbouring parish councils for financial assistance."

Maghull Town Council is working closely with Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson to find sponsorship.

Bill said: "The Labour group on Maghull Town Council have asked me to work with them to find sponsorship for this event.

"I am in contact with some of the major businesses in the area to see if they can help us save the event, but I am also appealing to other businesses, large and small throughout East Sefton to consider making a donation to saving this very popular event.

"I'd like to be the first to thank Cllr Byrne and is Labour colleagues for pulling all the stops out to save this event from being yet another victim of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government's cuts."

Cllr Byrne has been working with the town council's clerk to organise the display within little more than a month.

Cllr Byrne said: "As well as securing the funding, we are working around the clock to make sure everything else is organised. We obviously need to find a company to safely stage the display, we need the presence of police and St John Ambulance, while also informing the fire service.

"There is a lot to arrange and organise, but we really are pulling out all the stops to make sure the event goes ahead.

"The annual fireworks display is one of the biggest events in Maghull's calendar. I've been taking my sons for as long as I can remember and I am determined it isn't another victim of the cuts.

"I also know how crucial the event is in keeping young people safe around bonfire night because it provide an organised fireworks display which staged professionally. That's why the event will be free to attend so we can encourage as many young people to come along as possible. We will just be asking for donations from people for this year's Mayor's Charity Fund so we can also use the opportunity to give something back to good local causes.

"So I am delighted my Labour colleagues and I, against all the odds, have found a way to save the event and I look forward to seeing everyone there."